BJP’s Tarun Chugh accuses NC’s Farooq Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, Congress of “causing distress” in J&K

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 22 (ANI): BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh targeted National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and the Congress party holding them responsible for the “distress” in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking after a party workers’ meeting in Battal Ballian, Udhampur, Chugh said, “We are fighting the elections on Modi Ji’s vision of development for J&K.” He criticised the three parties accusing them of coming to power through “boycott politics.”

Chugh alleged that these parties work for Pakistan, calling them “puppets of Pakistan.” He exuded confidence that the NC, PDP, and Congress would lose in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, claiming that “people know the facts of these parties.”

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are now aware of the truth behind these political entities and their practices,” he added.

Earlier during a public rally in Jammu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance of attempting to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir by seeking the release of separatists and terrorist sympathisers.

“Three families have looted J&K. Terror will be back if NC and Congress come to power. Jammu has to decide their fate. If the BJP comes to power, we won’t allow terror to raise its head, asserting that talks with Pakistan will not resume until peace is restored,” Shah said.

National Conference (NC) Chief Farooq Abdullah hit back, claiming that the BJP wants to weaken national unity and is attempting to bolster its position by misleading the public.

“When they point one finger towards us, three fingers are raised towards them. These (BJP) are the biggest looters. They have ruined the country. They have tried to divide the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. They do not want to keep India united, they want to divide India,” he said.

The National Conference and the Congress party are fighting the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir together. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has also extended its support to the Congress and National Conference alliance in the J-K polls.

First phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission. The second and third phase will be held on September 25 and October 5 respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana.